A Bio-Weapon’s Rhapsody

“And what do we say when we want our friends to come visit us?” The [Entity] in the [TV] asked brightly.

 

It was an interesting [Entity]; it seemed to be a mockery made out of flesh with [Arms] that seemed to hold no bones, for they flabbed around without rhyme or reason.

 

“That’s right!” The [Entity] said brightly as his purple hair shone making a stark contrast with the golden halo painted on its hair, “We say LKHASDLSASDFHLSDFCHTULU!”

 

The [Entity]’s eyes shone in purple malevolent light.

 

“Say it with me! ASLKDHSDLFHSDFCHTULU!” The [Entity] cheered and Alexa could hear multiple voices overlapping at the [Chant], both from the [Entity] inside this [TV] and other [Human Stage - Child] both inside the [TV] and in the [Reception], it seemed that they would also be transferred to this [School], so they too had come for an appointment.

 

Either way, Alexa didn’t know why she felt compelled to join, but she did with the other [kids]’s around her.

 

“LSDKAFASJDFSCHUTULU!” Sharing these moments with other [Child Stage] Humans made her happy. Since it was proof that her [Disguise] was perfect.

 

“Alexa? They are waiting for us, you can see…whatever the hell was that at home later.” [Eleanore] came to pick her up.

 

That made Alexa sad.

 

“And remember! Magmo is always watching~” The [Entity] waved at her as she left, totally not ominous, no sir. “MAGMO SEES YOU!”

 

“MAGMO!” The other [Kids] cheered as Alexa waved back at the [TV]. The [Program] seemed to be ending either way, so Alexa would file this for investigation later.

 

“Did you have fun?” [Eleanore] asked as they moved away from the [Reception] area that had been populated by the [Kids] of the other [Parents] who also needed to speak with the [Principal].

 

“Yes!” Alexa answered. It had been…[Educative] to learn about what [Human Stage—Children] watched to spend their time. She had categorized plenty of new words, such as [Elysium], [HQ], [Vanguard], [Magmo], [Spermo], and [Copium].

 

She wasn’t sure if any of such words would be useful. They all seemed to relate to some entity affiliated with [HoloSt#rs] and [Cov3r]. She wasn’t sure if this was a [Hero Organization] or [Villain Organization]. They were popular enough to be portrayed in [TV], which seemed to be important.

 

But she had noticed that both [Villains] and [Heroes] featured plenty on [TV]. Thanks to her search for [Data] on the [Internet], Alexa had found evidence of [Vulcanus] showing and doing [Interviews] on [TV].

 

“Remember Alexa, only the Truth.” [Eleanore] said as she put a little more strength in the hand she was using to hold Alexa’s [Hand].

 

“Yes, Alexa will be quiet while you speak.” Alexa answered, that seemed to be the easiest way to deal with this.

 

“Principal Hamilton is ready for you both, please don’t waste his time. He has plenty other appointments that didn’t brute force their way in using…dubious means.” The [Secretary] said while raising an eyebrow at [Eleanore].

 

Had [Eleanore] really used dubious means? That was…to be expected, since it was in line with what a [Villain] would do. No problem there.

 

“Sure, I will make sure to inform Mister Hamilton that our money isn’t needed here.” [Eleanore] smirked at the [Secretary] and walked in while the [Woman] only opened her mouth and closed it.

 

The [Office] was different from what she had expected. She had seen [Eleanore]’s and [Vulcanus]’s offices. [Eleanore] preferred a more simplistic approach with plenty of space and lockers to store [Files]. What Alexa had found was basically a bunch of papers that served to save information on determined people, in contrast to [Vulcanus], whose office held plenty of machinery.

 

Alexa had searched those machines and found them to be [Servers], what seemed to be the more…big parallel to [Main Core], machines used to store [Data] and process information. That was the main reason Alexa had been seeking the data channels that [Haephestus’ Forge] used, but so far hadn’t found.

 

Besides the links between their [Masks] and the private network used by [Billy] that is.

 

But this [Hamilton]?

 

This was different. It was a big [Office] with plenty of room to spare. Instead of furniture to store [Data], be it in paper or [digital] format, he had a few [Bookshelves] that held some [Trophies] and [Awards]. The walls also had some of those [Awards], the difference being that those all held the same name: Kendrick Hamilton.

 

The furniture included [Potted Plants], [Statues], [Paintings] and a pair of [Couches]. At the middle of the far end wall stood a [Desk] adorned with what her internet connection called [Quills] and a [Mechanical Bird] that seemed to be drinking water…. without making it reduce its volume. Weird.

 

“Oh, Miss Eleanore! It's good to finally put a face to one of our top donors!” the man said cheerfully. He was a man with a round-ish face and black hair. He was dressed in what her [Main Core] had deemed a [Suit]: a pair of gray pants and a jacket of the same color. The only part of his ensemble was the shirt, which was white, and a necktie.

 

“I am a proxy to the organization that gives these donations. At best I make sure they come this way.” [Eleanore] spoke with a wry smile as she raised her hand in a [Handshake] gesture, while the [Man] came to her with both arms raised, forming some weird [T] figure with his body. “And we aren’t here for that, we are here today for Alexa.”

 

[Eleanore] said, pointing to Alexa. She smiled and waved at the man, who turned to look at her. Alexa wasn’t sure why, but the man…looked like a [Pig]. He looked to be around two meters tall. His body had plenty of [Muscles], and his [Suit] was one that stuck to his body and allowed his [Muscles] to show. Alexa didn’t see any [Body Fat].

 

Why was he a [Pig]?

 

The [Principal] walked back to his [Desk] and took one of the folders there, opening it to read something on it. “I see, so this cute little one is Alexandra…Saintsworths?” the [Man] said, narrowing his eyes as he turned to look at Alexa from bottom to top.

 

“That is correct, we want her to get into one of your classrooms. 1-D to be precise, currently under Eloise Baker.” [Eleanore] said as the man read the files once more.

 

“Sorry, got surprised by the last name, it may be a more common name nowadays. But I just got back from a gala hosted by the CEO of the Saintsworths. And your…kid? It doesn’t state the relationship you have with her.” Kendrick said as he put the folder back down, only this time away from the rest of the paperwork. As if to give a more detailed read later.

 

“I’m her legal guardian for now, Alexa is an orphan.” [Eleanore] answered not giving extra information.

 

“Well if you say so.” Kendrick answered back too in a short phrase. [Eleanore] didn’t seem to like that.

 

“So why does it matter if you attended a gala with the CEO of the Saintsworths? The name is common enough nowadays. Unless you saw someone who looked like her? We are trying to find her parents.” [Eleanore] prodded at the man, she also took a single step forward.

 

“[Warning, mana waves detected.]”

 

“[Secondary Warning, devices within office have been detected to emanate mana waves in disruptive frequency. Effectivity of Core Powers diminished.]”

 

Diminished? Was Alexa in danger!?!??

 

“[Negavite, host main offensive means are achieved by Nanite Swarm. Nanite Swarm isn’t limited by mana emissions, while they can benefit and seem to be tied to host. Only MK1 Gen Nanites are tied to Mana.]”

 

So…Alexa could work even witouth mana?

 

“[....Information inconclusive, more study on Cores is needed.]”

 

“You could say I did see someone who looked like her,” the principal said, grimacing, “but I doubt he will answer if you ask him about Alexa.”

 

“Any father worth their weight in A-Dollars should answer to their children's pleas.” [Eleanore] spat back with disgust in her voice, “Just give me a name, if they look like Alexa we will approach them for confirmation.

 

“You will only look for confirmation?” Principal Hamilton asked as he sat back on his chair once more. The man seemed to look at the corner of his eye and smile, “Truly?”

 

“....I can neither confirm nor deny if the organization I work for will take more steps. What I can confirm is that Alexa is a valuable asset to my organization. Any danger to her livehood will not be tolerated.” [Eleanore] said word for word slowly and methodically.

 

“An asset huh…” Principal Hamilton said, then sighed. “Fine, I don’t plan to sour our relationship with your ‘charity organization’, the man who shared looks with Alexa was an aloof man. He seemed to look down on everyone at the gala and in fact spent most of the gala playing a videogame with his feet on the table.”

 

“That sounds like a very childish person, who let them in? The Saintsworths shouldn’t be that lax with their security.” [Eleanore] said confused.

 

“I thought the same, so I asked one of my friends who frequents the high strata of our society.” Principal Hamilton nodded his head, “The man’s name is Alexanders.”

 

[Eleanore] seemed confused at that, “Just because they share a similar name it doesn’t mean they are family. Are you taking me by a fool?”

 

“Well, they share more than that trust me. Alexa here shares enough similarities, blonde hair, blue eyes, their facial structure is quite similar. If I didn’t know better I would say she is this man's daughter.” Principal [Hamilton] spoke as he searched for something within his desk’s drawers.

 

“And does this rude manchild have a last name? Alexander is a common name after all.” [Eleanore] said as she brought out her phone and wrote something on it while waiting.

 

“Here it is, I have something better for you. A picture with the man in question.” Principal Hamilton said as he showed a picture of himself and a blonde man, “Alexanders (With an S at the end) Saintsworths, the young master of the Saintsworths and Scion of The Saintsworths Conglomerate.”

 

It was an image of the blonde man who she had fought when her [Core] awoke, the man who she had thought had a faulty electrical system.

 

“....” [Eleanore] stared blankly at the picture, then turned to look at Alexa and then went back to the picture.

 

The blonde man seemed aloof and disinterested, if Alexa was to be honest, he seemed quite [Rude] in the picture, and [Bored]. As if he didn’t want to be there.

 

“I’m way cuter.”Alexa said breaking the silence, she was grateful to that [Lieutenant], or to Alexanders, since it had been thanks to him that she managed to [Awake] her [Core].

 

“Hahahahahahah,” Principal Hamilton laughed as he put the photo forward for [Eleanore]to look at.

 

“...He has the golden eagle on his shirt…” [Eleanore] said, “And on his watch?”

 

“And on his ring, bracelet, shoes, pants, underwear, and it seems they even tattoed it into his bones.” Principal Hamilton said to the surprise of [Eleanore], “Alexanders was quite vocal about his annoyances with this, he ‘likes the clothes as they are comfortable’ but ‘hates the fact that they make him use so many clothes with the stupid eagle’. His words, not mine.”

 

“He isn’t my [Parents], neither [Father] or [Mother].” Alexa said as [Eleanore] seemed to stare dumbly at the picture. “I don’t have any [Eagle] on me, neither in clothes, jewelry or on my [Bones].”

 

“Of course you don’t honey,” Principal Hamilton said with a smile that made Alexa feel shivers run down her back, it felt weird to be told such a thing by a [Pig]...why was he even a [Pig]?!?!? He didn’t look like one! “The bone thing may have been a joke of this man… But if someone has the technology to achieve such a thing it is the Saintsworths…But the man doesn’t have girlfriends or wives. And you are what? Five? He would have been 13 or 14 when you were born. You just don’t have the right age to be his daughter.”

 

…Wasn’t Alexa’s Core age around two year old? So then [Lieutenant] would be 17?

 

No wait, could [Humans] give birth to an [Ai Core]? More things to search for later.

 

“Right, he can’t be your parent.” [Eleanore] said.

 

“[Notice, Mana waves from Human Designation:Eleanore have ended, use of Core Powers finished, lodging time and intensity, Host is adviced to infiltrate this place at a later date to collect a sample from Mana Disrupter machinery.]”

 

Add it to the list!

 

“[....strategic objective ‘Added to the list’.]”

 

Good!

 

“Sorry for getting your hopes up Alexa,” Principal Hamilton said, “As an apology, I will open a slot in our Classroom of the Elites. You will be able to make friends with the sons and daughters of the city's most important people like this!”

 

Principal Hamilton went on around saying the names of multiple [Humans] that Alexa didn’t know the importance of. She did notice that some of those names came with the ‘son of X Hero’ or ‘daughter of X Hero’ as if that made them more enticing.

 

If anything, that meant that Alexa should probably not be around them….unless it was to [Devour] them…

 

“We will be getting her to class 1-C.” [Eleanore] finally answered. “Eloise Baker is a friend of mine, I would be more comfortable with her as teacher for Alexa.”

 

Principal Hamilton’s smile never wavered, but in turn turned to Alex, “Wouldn’t you rather be around kids with better toys to play with? They also get tasty candy and can even bring their video games to class!”

 

[Eleanore] frowned her head at this. Was this bad? All Alexa had found about [School] seemed to imply that one couldn’t do those things, but if the [Principal] was saying them, then it should be good?

 

“I will go to Miss Baker’s class.” Alexa said with a smile, “I don’t know what [VideoGames] are or why I should play with other people’s toys. But Miss Baker has Meli-Meli in her class and she is my friend. So I want to play with my friends!”

 

Also, it seemed like [Eleanore] would be mad at her if she picked another [Class]. They had come under the premise that she would join that class anyway. Besides, that would make it easier for her to get more samples on [Core Users]. She wasn’t sure if the other class had [Core Users]. But so far, she knew that Miss Baker had one, Meli-Meli.

 

“....Fine, you can ask for a change in class at the end of the year. But you will need to have something to show for it.” Principal Pig said with a sigh, bringing a pamphlet from his desk (Why did humans seem to love those things?), he brought it to [Eleanore]. “Here, this is our current teaching model. Alexa will need to either show excellent achievements or her class must meet the standards to allow them to use the same facilities.”

 

[Eleanore] started reading and frowned her eyes the more she read.

 

“What is this? Is this a joke?” [Eleanore] said throwing the piece of paper to the floor, “War Games? Tournaments? Swap of tests? This is a school, not a reality show!”

 

“Wrong. This is an institution affiliated with the Saintsworths Conglomerate.” Principal Hamilton said as he sat back, “And the CEO has shown interest in this genre. As of now, with this program, he is sponsoring 100 Elementary Schools, 50 Middle Schools, and 10 High Schools. He wants to see if a true meritocracy from the bottom of our education system can increase the effectiveness of classes.”

 

“By making students fight for a better environment? By making them compete between themselves for a classroom with a working AC Unit?” [Eleanore] was seething, a nice word to explain her face at the moment. “Is this what our money is being used for? I ought to claim it all back this moment!”

 

“Calm down Miss Eleanore, first. That isn’t your money, but the money of those you represent, right?” Mister Pig said with a smirk on his face, perhaps this was because he was [Pig]? “And second, we aren’t evil. The bare minimum needed to study will be preserved, the donation from the Saintsworths will only increase the ease of study, not outright grant them true advantages. You can study whether in a trash can or in a massage chair.”

 

Mister Pig seemed to enjoy this.

 

“You don’t need gourmet food to be a better student, neither do you need state-of-the-art TV to watch a documentary. You don’t need a pool to play during recess…Or are you saying Alexa here can’t study or be a better student unless she has access to those things?” Mister Pig asked with a placid smile.

 

“...No, but I will not tolerate her learning condition being downgraded just because some asshole wants to see kids fight and war against other classes for better classrooms.” [Eleanore] fought back with honor.

 

“Oh then that is quite all right, “ Mister Pig said as he brought a new folder with pictures, “These are the after and before of the classrooms. As you can see Classroom 1-C remained the same.”

 

The pictures indeed showed multiple classrooms, the first ones had changed the most. With 1-A turning from a normal [Room] into what looked more like two or three apartments stuck together with [Food], [TV]’s and plenty of furniture everywhere.

 

Classrooms 1-B and 1-C seemed more normal in comparison. 1-B was only as big as an apartment, and then, of course, Alexa’s classroom, which had remained the same in the after and before.

 

“Alexa will only stay here for a few hours right? Why does the size of the classroom matter?” Alexa asked, since she really didn’t understand this point. If she was to live here then sure, the classroom size would matter.

 

But as it was? It didn’t matter.

 

“Right, you don’t need a big fancy room. Stick it to the asshole from the Saintsworths, you are right Alexa.” [Eleanore] smiled at Alexa’s answer.

 

“Besides, this states that we can earn better facilities as needed later by achieving success in [War] and [Conflicts].” Alexa said as she picked up the pamphlet that [Eleanore] had thrown before. “So it isn’t like we can get better stuff later.”

 

“...right… just ask Lisa first before doing anything.” [Eleanore] sighed and turned to Principal Pig, “Anything else? You should have all the paperwork, but was there anything else?”

 

For his part, Mister Pig shook his head and turned to the folder that he had set aside. “Nothing else. My classroom of the elite has a few Core Users. They are well settled and trained, so you have nothing to fear, but some of the ‘War’ scenarios set up by the Saintsworths allow the use of Core Powers. So just be careful.”

 

…So there were indeed [Core Users] in that other classroom…

 

Alexa now had something to look forward to.